topic Re: Blood work question in Wellness

Blood work question

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 18:26:56 GMT

@SiilleeMee

I recently had blood work done and my Iron was high and Phosphorus was low, both were flagged on the report.

I take bamboo extract for bone health and Vitamin C with D also for bone health...do you think the Bamboo Extract could have anything to do with the unusual blood work numbers?

I did try to look up what could be causing the issue with the iron and phosphorus, but did not learn much....I thought of asking you because I know you have been taking the bamboo extract for a while and may be a answer for me.

I don't take any other medication or supplements.

I will be dropping off the results at my doctors office for her to review, and she will call me if she is concerned. thanks.

Re: Blood work question

Miss Pepsi — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 18:47:43 GMT

I would just go with whatever your physician suggests. I cringe when I see people who are not medical professionals and basically know nothing about a person give medical advice.

That's just me.

Re: Blood work question

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 18:49:20 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

I've been taking silica supps for several years and it has never affected any of my blood tests. As far as I know silica is a supplement which is mostly inert meaning is doesn't have any affect on things in your body. It's basically quartz mineral...sand in other words. If silica had any significant affect on the body then I think many of us might show some kind of symptoms but we don't.

Re: Blood work question

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 18:49:28 GMT

@Miss Pepsi OF COURSE I am discussing with my doctor, did you really read what I posted....I am asking about a SPECIFIC product that I know this poster takes as well as many other people on these forums.

Re: Blood work question

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 18:51:16 GMT

@SilleeMee Thanks, I did also google the silica powder for any added info about my blood work..... and did not think it had any thing to do with the results but thought I would ask.

I appreciate the reply.

Re: Blood work question

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 21:13:14 GMT

You're welcome @Mom2Dogs

I've got a DEXA scan coming up soon and I'm confident that my results will be normal (as it was the last time) b/c of the silica I've been taking. If my DEXA scan results come back abnormal I will be totally shocked.

Re: Blood work question

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:05:04 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

If you have a thyroid condition then bamboo silica might affect your thyroid. Bamboo shoots contain a substance which acts like an anti-thyroid compound so it's best not to take bamboo silica.

Re: Blood work question

Shelbelle — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:22:31 GMT

I just want to add that most medical docs know little to very little about supplements and it is entirely possible your doc will not know how to answer you when you mention the Bamboo. I love my doc but she sometimes gives me blank stares when I mention supplements. Unless a doc is also trained in Homeopathic meds such as Dr Andrew Weil, they are not taught about these things in med school. There are probably some on these boards who know more about supps than many docs.

Re: Blood work question

kaydee50 — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:19:19 GMT

@Miss Pepsi And I cringe when I read about people taking supplements without knowing if they actually need them.

Re: Blood work question

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:31:32 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
@Miss Pepsi And I cringe when I read about people taking supplements without knowing if they actually need them.

I don't take supps which I don't need. A few of my supps have been recommended to me by my doctor b/c my blood tests showed that I needed them. The others have had a positive affect on my health, for example, the silica supp got me out of osteoporosis which I had years ago but no longer have it. I'm 67 and in good health.

ETA-

I'm not the average person who talks about supps. I have many years of education and working experience in the health field as a biochemist. I would say I know more than the average person when it comes to knowing about many supps and how they can affect blood tests. I don't know everything but I do know a lot.

Re: Blood work question

RedTop — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:28:13 GMT

@Mom2Dogs

Unless these levels have been high multiple times, I would associate the one time rise as being attributed to what you ate shortly before the blood draw.

A week before my platelet donation, I would take an iron supplement for 2 days to make sure my level would be at 14 when tested so I would be above the minimum level for donation.

Re: Blood work question

tessam — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:30:13 GMT

I had the same issue and discovered it is common in women 50+. My doctor referred me to a hemotologist who re ran the test and all was normal. She advised me to take multivitams without iron as a precaution. I've never had an abnormal result since.

Do follow up. Follow your doctor's advice.

My primary had me very concerned when in fact the specialist was surprised I landed with her! lol

There is a general site where you can look up drug interactions. Just google it. In general you may find that helpful. I also give my pharmacist call when I have a question. They are very helpful.

Good luck!

Re: Blood work question

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:32:55 GMT

@SilleeMee I have nothing medically wrong with me and don't take any medication..so I should be ok on the silica..just a little concerned about the blood work.

Re: Blood work question

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:34:59 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
@Miss Pepsi And I cringe when I read about people taking supplements without knowing if they actually need them.

I take calcium and Vitamin D because I do need it for bone health..the silica is just another product that helps with bone health. Otherwise at 67 years old I am happy I am not on any other medication.

Re: Blood work question

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:36:27 GMT

@RedTop Thanks, I stopped all supplements a week before the blood draw and it was a 12 hour fast as well.

Re: Blood work question

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:38:26 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@SilleeMee I have nothing medically wrong with me and don't take any medication..so I should be ok on the silica..just a little concerned about the blood work.

@Mom2Dogs

I know! I just had my blood checked a few weeks ago and two of the test results were flagged abnormal. My mind was racing about what could possibly be wrong. Turned out it was just a minor thing and not concerning. My doc said if I had a second blood test done then most likely the results would be normal. Stuff like that just happens but if it happens repeatedly then that's a reason to be concerned and your doc would know what to do.

Re: Blood work question

Q-Checker — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 19:42:16 GMT

@misspepsi-- I cringe along with you! It constantly amazes and disturbs me that people pose medical questions to lay people -- and strangers at that! If competent doctors felt that they needed to learn more about supplements, or ANYTHING of potential medical significance, they would surely do so. If not, they should relinquish their license and the patient should seek another physician. Competent physicians continuously stay abreast of new, and complex research. And the vast majority of physicians are competent. Thankfully, THEY do not rely on heresay from strangers or untrained lay people but continuously build on many long years of arduous academic study and practice.

Re: Blood work question

magicmoodz — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 20:09:30 GMT

Not that you need a cheerleader @SilleeMee, but being associated with you for several years now on this board I would trust you above many doctors. Your vast knowledge and expertise is much appreciated!

My niece graduated with a PharmD degree last year which requires one more year of school than an MD. Prior to graduation in her last year she rotated hospitals every 6 weeks and had the opportunity(?) at 6:00 am to do rounds with doctors. She was pleased when a doctor would ask her what medication she would prescribe for a patient.

That being said, I don't believe any doctor is above researching on our own, a second opinion and yes, even asking for input on a QVC board.😀

And that reminds me...my surgeon suggested I take an over the counter medication. I told her I was taking another med and was advised not to take anything else because of contraindications, to which my surgeon said "I've never heard that". So there you go.😲

Re: Blood work question

SilleeMee — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 20:11:51 GMT

Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate that very much. @magicmoodz

Re: Blood work question

hckynutjohn — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 03:18:32 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@SiilleeMee
I recently had blood work done and my Iron was high and Phosphorus was low, both were flagged on the report.
I take bamboo extract for bone health and Vitamin C with D also for bone health...do you think the Bamboo Extract could have anything to do with the unusual blood work numbers?

I did try to look up what could be causing the issue with the iron and phosphorus, but did not learn much....I thought of asking you because I know you have been taking the bamboo extract for a while and may be a answer for me.

I don't take any other medication or supplements.

********************************************************
I will be dropping off the results at my doctors office for her to review, and she will call me if she is concerned. thanks.

@Mom2Dogs

You lost me here. I've had many hundreds of blood draws. Not a single one of them was not ordered by 1 of my doctors.

"You are dropping off the results at your doctors office"?

My doctors are the ones that interpret and explain all my blood readings. I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to my blood draws. Most of them are done for a specific Blood Panel. For years, many depended on my INR/ProTime Readings, which I knew very well what those numbers meant.

hckynut